How to Harvest Moss Verbena Seeds

Moss verbena is prized for an ability to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Moss verbena (Verbena tenuisecta), sometimes also referred to as cut-leaf verbena, grows as a perennial across U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10, although it often is cultivated as an annual across a much broader range. This plant features a height of 12 to 18 inches and tends to spread vigorously, producing roots where nodes contact the soil. Moss verbena foliage is fragrant and plants produce summertime clusters of flowers in a variety of shades. These flowers mature into seeds readily used for propagation.

1

Snip seed heads off of the moss verbena plants once they have dried but before the calyxes, which contain the seeds, begin to dry.

2

Spread the verbena calyxes out thinly over a screen in a dray space with good air circulation and let them dry for a few more weeks.

3

Rub the moss verbena calyxes between your fingers or against the screen to release the nutlets. Separate the seed-containing nutlets from debris using a screen with appropriately-sized openings or by hand.

4

Place the verbena nutlets in an envelope or dry, moisture-proof container and label the envelope or container with the collection date, information about the plant you collected the seeds from and any other pertinent data.

5

Store the container with the seeds in a cool, dry place until you are ready to plant them. Moss verbena seeds can remain viable for three to five years if stored properly and require no special treatment, such as stratification, in order to germinate.

Things You Will Need

Scissors

Screen

Envelope or other container

Marker

Tip

Collect many more seeds than moss verbena plants you hope to grow, as many seeds likely will fail to germinate. Moss verbena has approximately a 60 percent germination success rate.

Germination takes anywhere from 20 to 90 days.

Moss verbena blooms March through July and in warm locations it can continue to bloom until the season's first frost.

Seeds can be collected approximately one month after the blooming starts when the flowers fade.

Moss verbena grows in a wide range of light to heavy soil types and performs best planted in a sunny site.

Cover moss verbena seeds with only a light sprinkling of soil and do not plant too deep.